The Ligue de Football Professionnel is once again on the lookout for a way to broadcast Ligue 1, since after disappointing figures and major tensions with DAZN, the media company withdrew this summer. The most advanced solution is the creation of a channel by the soccer authorities, but a partner would still be needed. Alex Green, Director of Sports at Amazon Prime Video, told L’Equipe that his company was interested in the project and would be able to contribute to its success.
“We can contribute greatly to its wide distribution and success.”
“We are in regular contact with the League through our French teams. Everything has to move fast now, and we think we’re an excellent partner for the League and its future channel. We can contribute greatly to its wide distribution and success.
In three seasons, we’ve built up a very substantial subscriber base for our “Ligue 1 Pass”, well over a million. And we’ve done an excellent job of producing content around the matches, not just for the most prestigious fixtures, but for all of them.
“It’s time to be ambitious.”
What would be the right subscription price?
I don’t want to talk about prices today… But we did a good job on the launch price of our “Ligue 1 Pass” (€12.99 per month plus €5.99 per month for the Prime subscription). It worked, but we couldn’t make the business model sustainable.
So far, no other league has tried to launch its own channel…
That’s true, but there’s a first time for everything. It’s time to be ambitious. L1 is exploring innovative solutions, and we have a lot to offer them in this respect. I welcome the initiative, but just because it’s not being done elsewhere doesn’t mean it’s not the right solution for French clubs today.”
At the very least, it’s interesting to know that a major media organization, with a wealth of experience and a well-developed network, is willing to participate. However, there are still a number of points to be settled.
Like the price, but also the operation and the matches available. In one part of the interview, Alex Green mentions, for example, a stumbling block over the fact of not having all the matches broadcast, whereas beIN SPORTS currently has the rights for the match played on Saturdays at 5pm. It’s not a definitive problem, but it does require discussion.
So there’s nothing definite yet. But it’s reassuring to see concrete solutions. Let’s wait and see where the discussions lead. As for the accessibility of the matches (which channel exactly?) and the price. An essential point. The head of Amazon Prime Video welcomes the Ligue 1 Pass that had been set up, stressing that it wasn’t enough to be “sustainable”.
Let’s hope for something concrete soon, so that clubs and fans can plan ahead without worry. Particularly for prices, which will have to make concrete progress on the mercato fairly soon. Broadcasting revenues are an essential part of the budget. We don’t want to relive the waiting and tension of previous years.
